These services are available at the following BAB Radiology Locations:
CT Scanning
BAB Radiology has superior scanning capability with the new CT Technology updated at every BAB location currently offering CT. Currently, Bay Shore, Huntington, Hauppauge and Shirley are operating new 16 Slice CT Scanners. Commack also has a new CT Scanner with multi-slice technology.
The radiologists of BAB Radiology are fellowship trained experts in Musculoskeletal and Body Imaging. This specialized imaging allows for accurate diagnosis for difficult to diagnose patients.
DoseWise Technology and Exposure to Radiation during your CT,
What does it all mean?
Our 16 Slice CT Scanners have a critical feature for patients when choosing your imaging office for a CT. Our Phillips CT Scanner's (offered in Huntington, Shirley, and Bay Shore) offer Dosewise Technology. Our CT Scanners are providing some of the lowest doses of radiation exposure possible.
What is a CT or CAT scan? (Computed Tomography)
A CT or CAT scan is a diagnostic imaging procedure that uses a combination of x-rays and computer technology to produce cross-sectional images (often called "slices") of the body. A CT scan shows detailed images of any part of the body, including the bones, muscles, fat, blood vessels and organs.
In Computed Tomography (CT Scan), the x-ray beam moves in a circle around the body. This allows many different views of the same organ or structure, and provides much greater detail. The x-ray information is sent to a computer that interprets the x-ray data and displays it in 2-dimensional form on a monitor. In some cases, the data is sent to a special computer that produces three dimensional pictures.
CT scans may be done with or without contrast. "Contrast" refers to a substance taken by mouth (Oral) or injected through an intravenous (IV) line that causes the particular organ or tissue under study to be seen more clearly. Contrast examinations require special preparation.
CT scans may be performed to help diagnose tumors, evaluate blood vessels, determine calcium "scores" of the coronary arteries or check for other internal diseaseor injuries.
Preparation for the Test
Most CT examinations do not usually require any special patient preparations. However, in some body regions a more detailed display is possible only with the help of an intravenous contrast agent. The contrast agent is administered immediately prior to the examination and is usually well tolerated by the patient. This medium contains iodine, which might cause an allergic reaction in some patients. You should therefore consult BAB Radiology about possible existing allergies prior to the examination.
For these procedures the following guidelines apply:
- Patients over the age of 60 or those having known risk factors will require kidney function tests. Please consult with your physician to ensure that a recent blood test has been completed prior to your examination.
- If you are a diabetic and taking Glucophage®, Glucophage XR®, Glucovance® (Metformin), you will need to refrain from taking that medication on the day of the exam and for 48 hours following the exam.
- For dialysis patients, the CT scan may need to be scheduled on the same day or before your dialysis treatment.
- You should not eat or drink anything 4 hours prior to your examination. If your examination includes the Abdomen or Pelvis (for purposes other than evaluating blood vessels), you should also plan to arrive one hour prior to your appointment, you may need to drink a barium solution used for CT studies to outline the stomach and intestines.
- In order for us to provide your doctor with accurate and timely results, we request your assistance in obtaining previous radiology examinations pertaining to your current condition. You may need to sign a release authorizing other institutions to release results or films to us for comparison purposes
Please tell the staff if you:
- Might be pregnant, trying to get pregnant or are breast-feeding.
- Are allergic to iodine or seafood.
- Are on dialysis or have known kidney disease.
- Are diabetic.
- Have had a problem with this exam (or other X-Ray or contrast exams) in the past
Following the CT examination, the radiologist analyze the images and sends a report to your family physician, who then discusses the examination results with you during your next appointment or by phone.
Note: If you have had recent exams to diagnose this same or a similar problem at another facility, it would be helpful for the radiologist to see those exams. If available, please bring prior studies with you.
During a CT scan, you will be lying on a comfortable couch as it slowly moves through an opening in the examination unit, commonly referred to as the "gantry". All you have to do is follow the instructions given by the medical personnel in charge. For example, you may be instructed to briefly hold your breath or not to move certain regions of your body.